The global running phenomenon, parkrun, has finally arrived in Singapore! On 21 June 2014, the very first East Coast parkrun in Singapore was launched by a team of volunteers led by Carol Cunningham.
Formerly the Event Director of Albert Park parkrun in Melbourne, Australia, Carol moved to Singapore in mid-2013, and with approval from National Parks Board, has established Asia’s first parkrun event in East Coast Park.
Join the parkrun for Feel-Good 5km Fun!
Starting at East Coast Park (Carpark B1), the 5km course is flat as a pancake, and simply follows out past Big Splash to the turnaround point, after which the route loops straight back to the finish line. The route is perfect for those starting their running journey on a beginner-friendly course.
Seasoned runners can also join the East Coast Park parkrun for a weekly time trial to use as a gauge as they build for other major running events around Singapore. Since its first run a month ago, participants have seen improvement in their performances week by week.
After finishing, hang around and meet fellow parkrunners, and if you have time, relax and chat at the local café. Later that morning, your individual parkrun results will be emailed to you. You can compare your result to previous performances, other parkrunners or see what your age grade scoring is.
parkrun Attracts Runners Across the World
parkrun is a not for profit organisation established in the United Kingdom in 2004 to provide a free, weekly, timed 5km running event to every community that wants one; thereby increasing participation in running, promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving social cohesion in local communities.
There are presently over 400 parkrun events around the world every Saturday across 10 countries: UK, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Poland, Russia, USA and of course Singapore, which is the very first parkrun in Asia.
Just last month, member number 1 million was signed up, making parkrun easily the one of the largest community sporting organisations on the planet.
parkrun Offers a Unique Proposition to Singapore Runners
East Coast Park parkrun, like all global parkrun events, is free and open to people of all standards and ages, both as volunteers and as runners. Here are a few points to sum up what it is all about:
- A non-commercial, free, feel-good, local event with a global footprint.
- Runners sign up on the website once in their life. After registration, you can turn up and walk or run at any parkrun event, whether that is at East Coast Park or any other parkrun event in the world!
- Results are emailed to all participants on the same day and posted on the parkrun website with historical results and statistics including age group records and age-graded performances (for those getting older!).
- There are clubs to encourage participation. A 50 Club for runners who’ve reached 50 runs, a 100 Club, a 250 Club, and a Junior (under-19) 10 Club.
- For the competitive, there is an annual points competition at each event to reward regular participation.
No Barriers on Joining the East Coast Park parkrun!
People of all levels are encouraged take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians, from juniors to those with decades of experience. All runners receive encouragement and enjoy being part of a community event open to all standards. If you’re keen on volunteering, parkrun’s volunteer teams also come from a huge variety of backgrounds as well.
Above everything, the East Coast Park parkrun is great fun, and if you’re keen to improve your fitness and running, it’s one of the best ways to kickstart your Saturday morning here in Singapore.
parkrun extends beyond 5km races, beyond the coffee shop and beyond Saturday mornings. It brings together like-minded people, forges likely and unlikely friendships and has brought forth faster running than ever thought possible!
East Coast Park parkrun is a free weekly 5km run that takes place at East Coast Park every Saturday morning.
